TAKE A HIKE
As of March 2020, all New York State Parks are currently open and are waiving all entrance fees. However, before venturing out, we recommend you call ahead to see if circumstances have changed and to check that they are still open.
Many places also offer other outdoor activities, such as mountain biking; please check their websites for additional information.
April 1st, 2020. If you do decide to go hiking, please act responsibly and respectfully to other people by observing the current guidelines in place to combat the spread of the Covid-19 virus by self-distancing and keeping AT LEAST 6 FEET AWAY from other people. Thank you.
BERME ROAD PARK
Located in the village, Berme Road Park offers numerous activities and is also the trailhead entrance to the Smiley Carriageway. This is a rugged trail that scythes its way up the west face of the Shawangunk Ridge to connect with the High Point Trail at Sam’s Point. It is approximately 3 miles long.
LONG PATH ACCESS
The Long Path traverses the spine of the Shawangunk Ridge and offers spectacular views of the Walker and Rondout Valleys. There are two trails just outside the village that give access to the path. For further information about the Long Path, click here.
SAM'S POINT
In 2015, the management and development of Sam’s Point was taken over by the Minnewaska State Park Preserve.
Sam’s Point is Ellenville’s best-known and most-loved beauty spot, offering miles of wonderful hiking adventures, stunning views, and many great places to explore, such as The Ice Caves and Verdekeer Falls.
PLEASE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE FOR LATEST INFO ON THEIR CURRENT SITUATION REGARDING COVID-19.
BEAR HILL PRESERVE
CURRENTLY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19
The Bear Hill Preserve is managed and maintained by the Cragsmoor Association. Short, easy trails will take you out to Bear Cliff, which offers breathtaking views of both the Walker and Rondout Valleys.
The outcroppings are strewn with big erratic boulders that were deposited there over 10,000 years ago as a result of glacial activity in the area. Trailhead parking is limited on Delenbaugh Rd. and we request you respect the privacy of the residents who live along it.
MINNEWASKA STATE PARK PRESERVE
Minnewaska State Park Preserve is situated on the dramatic Shawangunk Mountain ridge, which rises more than 2,000 feet above sea level and is surrounded by rugged, rocky terrain.
The park features numerous waterfalls, three crystalline sky lakes, dense hardwood forests, incising sheer cliffs and ledges opening to beautiful views, clear streams cut into valleys, 35 miles of carriage roads and 50 miles of footpaths on which to bike, walk, hike and simply enjoy. And, all this within an hour and a half drive from New York City.
Visitors can also enjoy hiking, biking, swimming, picnicking, scuba-diving, rock-climbing, bouldering, boating, and marveling at the incredible scenery. Horseback riding and cross-country ski trails are available as well. Technical rock climbing is also permitted.
PLEASE CHECK THEIR WEBSITE FOR LATEST INFO ON THEIR CURRENT SITUATION REGARDING COVID-19.
> WEBSITE | MAIN ENTRANCE
MOHONK PRESERVE
CURRENTLY CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO COVID-19
Established in 1963, with over 8,000 acres of mountain cliffs, forests, fields, farmland, streams, ponds and marshland, Mohonk Preserve is New York’s largest nonprofit nature preserve. The Preserve’s mission is to protect the Shawangunk Mountains region by inspiring people to care for, enjoy and explore their natural world.
Each year over 300,000 visitors come to Mohonk Preserve to get into nature through hiking, biking, birding, rock climbing and bouldering, trail running, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The Preserve’s over 70 miles of historic carriage roads and trails provide pathways for people of all ages and abilities to explore over 1,600 species of plants and animals that make their homes in this special place.
Mohonk Preserve lands are open year-round from sunrise to sunset with memberships and day passes available at all trailheads.
STATE LANDS & FORESTS
In addition to our parks, we are surrounded by many beautiful, wild state lands and forests which offer many hours and miles of great outdoor hiking adventures and activities.
WITCH'S HOLE STATE FOREST
It doesn’t get more wild and rugged than Witch’s Hole State Forest! Many of the trails, whilst clearly visible, aren’t marked, so we encourage you to download the trail map below to help familiarize yourselves with the trails. Our ‘must see’ recommendations are Witch’s Hole Falls and the outcroppings overlooking Louis Ravine, which offer spectacular views of the surrounding area and Shawangunk Ridge.
MINE HOLE TRAIL
Located on Foordmore Rd. in Napanoch, the trailhead has limited parking but is the starting point for the Lower Mine Hole Trail, which winds its way high up on the Shawangunk Ridge before merging into the Long Path Upper Mine Hole Trail and eventually joining The Smiley Carriageway. This will then give you access to the trails at Sam’s Point. The first part of the trail runs parallel with the Mine Hole Brook, which you will cross when following the white blaze trail markers.
Located in an adjacent gully on your left, when heading up, is another brook; this is unnamed and does not appear on any maps. When finding it, one can follow it upstream to a rugged horseshoe waterfall and, further upstream, to more spectacular slab-rock cascades.
Where to cross back over the Mine Hole Brook to get into the neighboring gully can be tricky to spot, but you can download a route map below that should give you some clues. Also on this map, you will see the Point Lookout Trail, which will take you high up onto the ridge to Point Lookout, where spectacular views of the distant ridge and Rondout Valley can be found.
If you are currently self-isolating and are a bit bored, you can also watch this video-version with verbal directions on how to get to the horseshoe falls.
QUICK LINKS
Below are links to the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website for information on our local State Forests.
SHAWANGUNK RIDGE STATE FOREST
ROOSA GAP STATE FOREST
VERNOOY KILL STATE FOREST
SUNDOWN WILD FOREST
RAIL TRAILS
O&W RAIL TRAIL
The O&W Rail Trail runs parallel to the Ellenville along the Rondout Creek. It is ideal for family-oriented cycling and/or hiking. There are two sections in Ellenville, heading north towards to Kerhonkson.
In Kerhonkson, you can pick up the trail again to head up to Rochester Park in Accord. There is also a 2.5 mile section that heads south out of Ellenville down to Spring Glen where you can see the Spring Glen Buttermilk Falls.
During the winter months, the rail trail is also great for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Please use the ‘Ride With GPS’ route maps below for locations and for further information about the rides. You can also download cue-sheets and/or navigation-route files for your cycling device (e.g., Garmin, Wahoo, iPhone etc.). On the RWGPS pages you will also find Google Maps links to each of the starting points.
O&W ELLENVILLE > PORT BEN
O&W NAPANOCH SECTION
O&W ELLENVILLE > SPRING GLEN
O&W KERHONKSON > ROCHESTER PARK
USGS TOPO MAPS
You can download topo maps of the Ellenville and Napanoch areas below.
Ellenville
Napanoch
